One advantage of the wide-chord rotor blades is:

One advantage of the wide-chord rotor blades is:

• A. Increased drag
• B. Reduced lift
• C. Increased maneuverability
• D. Higher noise

Answer: (C)

Wider blade chords increase the blade area, which boosts lift and thrust available from the rotor at the same rotor RPM and collective setting. That extra lift gives the pilot more authority over the rotor system, so cyclic and collective inputs translate into larger, quicker attitude and direction changes. In practical terms, the helicopter can respond more readily to control inputs, improving maneuverability, especially in hover and low-speed flight where handling is most critical. The other effects listed—more drag, reduced lift, or more noise—aren't advantages, so they don't describe the practical benefit of wide-chord blades.

Wider blade chords increase the blade area, which boosts lift and thrust available from the rotor at the same rotor RPM and collective setting. That extra lift gives the pilot more authority over the rotor system, so cyclic and collective inputs translate into larger, quicker attitude and direction changes. In practical terms, the helicopter can respond more readily to control inputs, improving maneuverability, especially in hover and low-speed flight where handling is most critical. The other effects listed—more drag, reduced lift, or more noise—aren't advantages, so they don't describe the practical benefit of wide-chord blades.